Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Sorry it has been quiet on the blog this past week. I normally try to steer away from really personal stuff especially if it's sad, but my family lost a very, very special man last week; he played a different role in each of our lives but to me he was my sweet Granddaddy.

We spent the weekend celebrating his life; surrounded by all the people he loved the most, sharing stories, tears & hugs & remembering all the wonderful, funny things about this sweet little man. He was such an amazing person, he loved his family & had the ability to make anyone laugh regardless of their age. He lived a long, full, happy life & left the amazing legacy of three beautiful daughters, 6 grandchildren & 11 great-grandchildren. I feel so lucky to have been able to call him my Granddaddy.

His smile & laughter will live on in my heart forever.

rest in the sweetest peace

Fred "Granddaddy" Norris

December 8, 1925 - May 25, 2011

Someday I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far Behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me...

Monday, May 23, 2011

Aside from goofing off today....I plan on maybe getting some work done. This "work" I speak of includes making a list of some new goals for myself.

1. get some work done... (just kidding)

actively take better "real" photos - I added an "about" me page & in the interim of actually writing a bio, I went through & linked up some of my favorite blog posts to date. I was ashamed at how much I rely on my camera phone for blog content (disregard the camera phone photo in this post), bad girl. So in hopes to entice myself to take my good camera around with me, I sold my telephoto lens last week & traded it out for a new spiffy 50 mm lens. New camera gear makes me giddy. I'm looking forward to playing with it & taking better "real" photos!

for the love of film - right along side of taking better digital photos, I also want to start taking more with my film cameras. I will be adding a new feature to the blog - for the love of film - where I will be posting some of my favorite film cameras & some of my traditional photographs.

vloggin - *intimidating* I would love to try & vlog (video blog) at least once in the coming month. Why does it seem so scary to video tape yourself talking & broadcast it for all to see?! I'm not sure, but I guess that makes it good 'goal' material - forces you to step out of your comfort zone. We shall see if I am brave enough...

what I wore - I really want to try to add a few outfit posts here & there. This will also incorporate the better photos goal.

I suppose that's enough for now. Thank you for all the sweet blog re-design comments! I have been thoroughly enjoying the new layout - especially the fact that I can have BIGGER photos now!
Happy Monday!!! ♥
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

wooohooo!! I finally gave my little blog a face lift! It took me all day but I finally figured everything out! It's amazing the difference a few changes can make! I am so happy with the outcome but will be tweaking & adding some other new simple things (like an about page & some sharing buttons, etc.) in the coming days.

Here is a before image for comparison. Let me know what you think!

Whew!! I'm so glad the majority of the work is over! Now I'm off to snuggle & relax with the pups & hubs!! Happy Wednesday! ♥

I have a list that is continually growing of fun little diy's & projects that I would love to do for my house...I'm really good at making the list, not so good at finding the time to accomplish them. Maybe I can knock a few out this weekend. (a girl can dream...)

In the meantime here are some of my favorite diy's from some very talented bloggers that I have bookmarked for future reference. Enjoy!

side note: can you have a crush on a whole family?! because I totally have one for Rubyellen's sweet family, her blog always brings such a huge smile to my face & it makes me excited to have a cute family of my own someday! She also is a diy crafter extraordinaire!

Monday, May 16, 2011

I know I have posted one or two of the amazing vintage alarm clocks from Clockwork Universe before, but I seriously can't get enough of them. I frequently browse their shop to gaze upon all these sweet little clock faces....I would love a WHOLE collection of them on top of a dresser or overflowing on shelves or even all mounted on a big wall (how cool would that be?!?). They have so much personality & would bring sweet pops of color to any room. I'm just slightly obsessed & this means that starting yet another new collection is imminent. Here are some beauts to get you obsessed as well...

Product packaging has always been a big deal to me, similar to my feelings on gift wrap, presentation is EVERYTHING! I love brainstorming ideas of packaging (even for products that aren't mine) & have been known to buy something just for the amazing packaging design alone. I also feel it's important to do all of my packaging in house - mainly just because it's a process that I really enjoy!!!

& although I loved my original design, it was time for a change. It has always bothered me that it isn't as eco-friendly as it could/should be. So I set out to change this...my new design is very simple, completely earth friendly while still incorporating aspects/themes of what I loved about the original design. I am pretty excited about it.

& after talking it up so much I am going to make you wait until I have a finalized, finished product before I share photos, because I'm mean like that. I am waiting on some important components - like custom made stamps! (eeeee! I get seriously excited about custom stamps!!)

In the meantime here are some fun, inspiring books to get you excited about packaging too!

I may or may not be hopped up on caffeine from an earlier Friday treat & we may or may not be going to the movies tonight to see Bridesmaids - all my favorite comedian ladies in one place - eee! So excited!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Maybe you know what it's like to have dogs without a fenced in backyard...if so, you probably know that one or both of them will always-without-fail start doing the tee-tee dance at the most inconvenient times. Like right when you sit down to eat dinner, or right when you sit down on the couch to relax after a long day, or even RIGHT AFTER you already took them out & they wanted to sight see & eat grass instead of what they should be doing.

You also probably know that if you got said dog as a puppy that sometimes they make little mistakes in the house during potty training because you just didn't take them out in time. This event usually occurs after they whine & pace & you say "just one second...just hold on one more second" (because leashing them up & taking them out right at that moment seems like suuuuchhhh a hassle) & then BAM just like that they go right in front of you. Mine always make eye contact with me as they do their little deed as if to say "I told you I needed to go, next time perhaps you should listen."

& maybe it's just my two little mischievous puglets but sometimes they see putting on their harnesses as a fun (evil) game. I have no doubt as they tuck their sweet little curly tails & proceed to run circles around the kitchen table & around the ottoman & around the chairs in the living room that they are having such a great giggle at my expense- & who wouldn't laugh at a grown woman bent over with harness in hand chasing & tripping after her dogs.

We won't even go into the subject of inclement weather, like when we got 5 inches of freezing snow or when a monsoon hits & it's pouring outside & my dogs turn from sweet to diva as soon as their little paws touch something wet or cold. That's right, we won't go into this subject because it always ends in you having to hold the umbrella over them & you getting more drenched - or frozen - than they do because it's the only way...

So if you know all of this then you will know the little slice of heaven that comes in the form of a fenced in backyard. Especially one that you decide to install & build yourself (or in my case my sweet husband builds). This type of labor of love seems so big that a 'thank you' would never suffice, nope a simple 'thank you' couldn't possibly encompass all that you & those rascally pups will gain from such a huge gift.

The Perry house now has a fully functional fenced in backyard!! It is no doubt the fence that love built & oh the happiness & peace it has brought & will continue to bring this little family.

Oh how sweet freedom in the form of leash-less, ears flapping in the wind, content pups tastes! & to my Husband-Extraordinaire - you are a prince among men, I am truly lucky to have you as my partner in life!! There are no words to let you know how appreciative the puglets & I am for all your hard work!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

I have decided this month will be for change, inspiration, motivation, creation, love, positivity & happiness! (who's with me?!?!) I have big plans for some fun blog posts, an updated blog design & some new Pleasantly Plump [Knits.] additions!